THE SUN THE MOON THE EARTH
Rotation of the Sun, Moon and Earth drama activity
Learning objective
Students will gain an understanding of the Earth’s rotation on its axis and how it causes regular changes, including night and day.
Details of task
This activity is for grade 3 students learning about Earth’s rotation on its axis and how it causes regular changes, including night and day.
Students are separated into groups of three and they must decide who will act as the sun, the moon and the earth.
Students must then use what they know about the sun, moon and earth to figure out what positions they are in. They also need to take into account the different sizes of the sun, moon and earth and portray this in their demonstration. They must only use their bodies, no props or costumes.
After an appropriate amount of time practicing their demonstration, sit the class on the floor in a circle and each group can perform how they think the sun, moon and earth rotates. After the groups have all performed, show the class this short animation to highlight the which groups were correct. After the video has been shown have the class all spend five minutes to adjust there short performance so that they can correctly interpret the rotation and positions of the sun, moon and earth.
Expected areas of learning
The students will learn about science focusing on space, integrated with the creative arts through a drama activity. By integrating creative arts into this activity students will be excited and motivated as they get to learn whilst being creative in a subject that is usually isolated from the creative arts. Robin Ewing's 'The arts and Austraian education' highlights that children expeience "Sheer pleasure" whilst enagaing in the arts (P. deVriies, C. Hall, G. Burke, R. Bennett. Remaining the arts in education. D. Zyngier, M. Askew. 21st century teaching and learning: the primary experience, page 2.).
Assessment
The students will be assessed by showcasing the knowledge they have retained about the position of the sun or if they have not retained it. The teacher will be able to see which students understand what they are learning and which students need more time and help.
Students will gain an understanding of the Earth’s rotation on its axis and how it causes regular changes, including night and day.
Details of task
This activity is for grade 3 students learning about Earth’s rotation on its axis and how it causes regular changes, including night and day.
Students are separated into groups of three and they must decide who will act as the sun, the moon and the earth.
Students must then use what they know about the sun, moon and earth to figure out what positions they are in. They also need to take into account the different sizes of the sun, moon and earth and portray this in their demonstration. They must only use their bodies, no props or costumes.
After an appropriate amount of time practicing their demonstration, sit the class on the floor in a circle and each group can perform how they think the sun, moon and earth rotates. After the groups have all performed, show the class this short animation to highlight the which groups were correct. After the video has been shown have the class all spend five minutes to adjust there short performance so that they can correctly interpret the rotation and positions of the sun, moon and earth.
Expected areas of learning
The students will learn about science focusing on space, integrated with the creative arts through a drama activity. By integrating creative arts into this activity students will be excited and motivated as they get to learn whilst being creative in a subject that is usually isolated from the creative arts. Robin Ewing's 'The arts and Austraian education' highlights that children expeience "Sheer pleasure" whilst enagaing in the arts (P. deVriies, C. Hall, G. Burke, R. Bennett. Remaining the arts in education. D. Zyngier, M. Askew. 21st century teaching and learning: the primary experience, page 2.).
Assessment
The students will be assessed by showcasing the knowledge they have retained about the position of the sun or if they have not retained it. The teacher will be able to see which students understand what they are learning and which students need more time and help.
click to view AUSVELS: how this activity relates to ausvels and will teach the students according to the national curriculum